The Chairman of the Pematang Siantar branch of Partindo (Indonesia Party).
Background
Malik was born in Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra, Dutch East Indies to Abdul Malik Batubara and Salamah Lubis. He is from a Batak Muslim family of Batubara clan. Once he was freed, Malik left Pematang Siantar for Jakarta. He died on 5 September 1984 in Bandung, West Java, as a result of liver cancer.
Education
After completing Junior High School, he received his first job as a shopkeeper.
Career
Aged just 17, Malik became the Chairman of the Pematang Siantar branch of Partindo (Indonesia Party). In this position, he campaigned for the Dutch Colonial Government to grant independence to Indonesia. He was put in prison for disobeying the Colonial Government's ban on political assemblies. Once he was freed, Malik left Pematang Siantar for Jakarta. He served as Minister for Trade before being appointed Minister for the Implementation of the Guided Economy in Sukarno's Cabinet. In 1971, Malik was chosen as President of the United Nations General Assembly. In 1977, Malik was replaced as Foreign Minister as he took on the Chairmanship of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). In 1983, Malik's term as Vice President came to an end and he was replaced by Umar Wirahadikusumah.